The leader of a criminal gang consisting of Azerbaijanis has been detained in Moscow, said Irina Volk, spokesperson for Russia’s Interior Ministry, APA reported citing RIA Novosti.

According to the spokesperson, the 49-year-old Azerbaijani was on Interpol’s wanted list for robberies, kidnappings and banditry committed in Azerbaijan in 1997.

The gang leader was detained by special-purpose police forces. The investigation revealed that he for a long time was hiding in Moscow under a different name.

“The person has been evading criminal responsibility since 1997. Using a fake passport of a citizen of the USSR, he obtained Russian citizenship and passport. However, law enforcement officials have established that an absolutely different person resides in Azerbaijan under these data,” Volk said.

The spokesperson added that the detainee has already been stripped of his Russian citizenship.

Izh-70, Browning, 23 rounds of 9mm cartridges, as well as a fake passport of a citizen of Kazakhstan were found and confiscated during the search in the rented apartment of the detainee.

Volk said that a criminal case has been initiated against the detainee on illegal arm trafficking.

“We are planning his extradition to the Republic of Azerbaijan,” the spokesperson said adding that the detainee is checked for involvement in other crimes on the territory of the Russian Federation.